This weekend I needed solitude. I craved the slow, uncomplicated ritual of being home alone, it is here where I restore my energy and mend the daily strain of my mental illness.

I found solace in simple things like reading, photography, organising, and moments in the winter sunshine in the corners of our yard. Amidst the somewhat relentless pressure to be doing more, it has taken me many years to embrace the quiet and peace of doing less.

It’s near impossible to explain to someone with no personal experience of mental illness how those of us who struggle really feel. We really are living in two very separate worlds on the inside, and although we can’t truly let you into this world, we can all practice the important acts of acceptance and kindness to close the gap.

Friendships and mental illness are complex companions. My mental illness can cause me to cancel plans at the last minute, it can make me avoid large crowds of people, and it can seem like all of this is simply me not caring.

Rachel Martin has been one of my online rays of light for many years. It was the shared focus on joy in our writing and single parenting that drew me to her online space Finding Joy. Always real, honest and brave I have found so much solace in Rachel’s Facebook posts, her page is adored by many. Busy with recently birthing a new book, nurturing the joy in her beautiful children and sharing so generously online, I was a little bit excited when Rachel was able to be a part of my interview series.